The provincial board of Bohol has asked the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to review domestic ferry fares and improve vessel conditions following persistent complaints from passengers.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the request during its regular session July 14, 2026 adopting a committee report from Board Member Nathaniel Binlod, chair of the Committee on Public Utilities and Franchises.
The report followed an inquiry by Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite into why fares remained high despite falling crude oil prices.
The committee found that fares stayed expensive even after MARINA lowered the maximum fuel surcharge adjustment to 10 percent effective July 2. It cited the P880-peso tourist-class fare on Ocean Jet’s Tagbilaran-Cebu route as an example.
Passengers have also complained about dirty toilets, leaking ceilings, soiled seats and irregular schedules, according to the report. It said open-air and tourist-class passengers are charged the same fare despite differences in comfort.
The board’s resolutions call on MARINA to review Ocean Jet’s fare classification to establish fairer tiered pricing.
They also urge Ocean Fast Ferries Inc. to set more reasonable fares and strictly enforce discounts for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, including for online bookings.
The committee said ferry operators, as public utilities, are obligated to charge reasonable fares and provide service quality that matches what passengers pay.